TNAG-0752-FCO40-956-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 67

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8.

Does Britain recognise China's claim to the colony? If not, on what grounds? If so,

are steps being taken to turn over control?

I have set out at paragraph 2 above what I take to be HMG's position on the three treaties governing Hong Kong and have indicated the reservations we appear to hold privately on the question of ultimate sovereignty over the leased territories. In public statements, HMG upholds the legal status of Hong Kong and refuses to accept "any differing views which have been expressed or may hereafter be expressed by other Governments" (Letter from C T (now Sir Colin) Crowe, dated 14 December 1972, to the Secretary-General of the UN, explaining Britain's decision to cease trans- mitting information on Hong Kong to the UN. The letter was in response to Huang Hua's letter of 8 March 1972, on Hong Kong and Macao, addressed to the UN Special Committee of Twenty-four on decolonisation).

9.

British sovereignty over Hong Kong is implied in official and public statements, but, as I have pointed out in my accompanying minute, is rarely spelt out. Likewise, HMG is reluctant to dismiss China's claim to the colony in so many words. However, it seems clear that Britain officially does not recognise the Chinese claim. If pressed, HMG would doubtless give as its grounds the continuing validity of the treaties establishing Hong Kong.

10. Conditions that might plausibly be attached to a Chinese takeover

An enormous amount would depend on local conditions in Hong Kong and on China's and Britain's attitudes at the time of a proposed Chinese takeover; and HMG would presumably regard it as very difficult to seek to lay down conditions in advance. A Planning Committee paper on Hong Kong (PC 76/11 of 5 March 1976) discussed the question of Hong Kong and at Annex B outlined alternate futures.

11.

Is Britain opposed to the creation of an independent city state?

There appears to be no official expression of view on this issue. Whatever its views on the merits of an independent city state of Hong Kong, in practice HMG must be opposed to the creation of such a state. Mr Ennals, answering parliamentary questions on 18 February 1976, admitted that Hong Kong is "obviously not moving towards independence" but in explanation pointed to the colony's geographical and constitutional position which created problems that were "almost unique". Chinese susceptibilities over the possible emergence of new forms of local government in Hong Kong which might give some measure of independence to the inhabitants of the colony are well known. The Chinese statement of 8 March 1963, on Hong Kong (see paragraph 3 above), calls for the status quo to be maintained there pending settlement of its future. Unofficial Chinese comment both before and since that statement reinforces the point it makes. Any move towards the creation of an independent Hong Kong might well precipitate Chinese action and a possible Chinese takeover of the colony.

30 January 1978

I Whitehead

IP. Ms S Pares

Far Eastern Section Research Department

cc Mr Rushford (Legal Advisers) without enclosures

Mr Wilson (Political Adviser, Hong Kong) without enclosures

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